TAMPA, FL – Nazareth battled 15^th-ranked Bowdoin in the first half (7-5), before the Polar Bears broke away in the second, winning 18-8 on Wednesday at the University of Tampa. It was the Golden Flyers first contest of their spring break trip. They will take on Western New England on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
Nazareth drops to 1-6 on the season, while Bowdoin moves to 3-1.
 
Louis Cogliandro scored the first goal for Nazareth and Braeden McKercher gave the Golden Flyers a 2-1 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first.
 
The high-powered Polar Bear offense then rattled off the next four goals of the game to take a 6-2 lead in the second quarter. Nazareth hung tough, scoring three of the last four goals of the half, to keep the game at 7-5.  McCosker scored, before Cogliandro notched his second of the day.
 
Owen Riley added his first goal of the season late in the half which made it 7-5.
 
The Golden Flyers were hampered at the face-off circle all day, as reigning U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Co-Faceoff Player of the Year and a First Team All-American in 2022, Ethan Barnard, won 23-of-28 faceoffs. The Polar Bears finished the game 24-for-30.
 
Nazareth showed some life in the third quarter after giving up the first three tallies with Quinn McKercher and brother Braeden (man-up) scoring for the Golden Flyers. It was 10-7 with 1:15 to play in the third.
 
Braeden McKercher netted his team-high third goal from Quinn McKercher for the first goal of the fourth quarter, making the score 11-8.  Bowdoin erupted for three goals in less than a two-minute span and finished scoring the final seven goals of the game.
 
Eric Almquist made 16 saves in net.
 
McOsker, Sean O'Brian, and William O'Neill each finished with three ground balls.